A podcast for people who love knitting, Dorset Buttons, creativity & Scotland, especially the Highlands & Islands.

 Update 2 March 2017 – The iTunes Link is now working!

TJFrog Yarn

Welcome to my podcast & the very first episode, a massive leap in a completely different direction for me.  With a background in training I’m use to delivering workshops face-to-face so it’s weird just talking into a microphone & wondering if anyone is listening.  I use visualisation to imagine you are all sat in front of me knitting or doing your craft of choice! Welcome.

Why a Podcast?

I listened to my first podcast in 2014, Louise Scollay of Knitbritish & not only did she energise me to get on with my WIPs (Works in Progress), a seed was sown that maybe I could host a podcast one day & share my love & knowledge of where I live, crafting & what’s important to me.  It’s taken a bit longer than planned to make it happen.  Finally it’s off the ground & I thank Louise for providing that first inspiration.

How will my Podcast run?

The plan is to run the podcast on a monthly basis.  This first episode is about providing  an insight to me, how I came to be living on Skye & I cover the different sections I plan to have on my podcast which include:

My Background

I talk about visiting the Highlands as a child and how my love affair of Scotland took off following a stint working on the West Coast of Scotland.  Many years exploring Scotland & much winter walking so eventually led us to find a home in Scotland with a “wow view.”  And that ended up being Skye.  A place with stunning scenery & spectacular light & skies especially in the winter, as well as being a place with a huge amount of creative talent & activities happening.

Brought up in Dorset & taught to knit by my Nan & I loved many crafts at school although never pursued it to any level.  On leaving the Royal Navy I went on a knitting retreat to reacquaint myself with knitting.  Organised my Sue Culligan, who now runs Knitting & Crochet Holidays at her home in France and tutored by Debbie Abrahams & Jane Crowfoot I entered a world I didn’t know existed – the world of knitting.  I could not have imagined during that week what knitting would do for me as a person, the people I would meet along the way, the travels I would go on & how it would help me through dealing with the loss of my Nan who had been the start of my knitting journey all those years ago.

Through knitting I learnt to make Dorset Buttons, & so TJFrog was spawn.  Sadly I did not learn about Dorset Buttons during my childhood so I’m now interested in learning what I can & researching the history.

The Weather 

The weather is often a topic of conversation & I’ve become even more aware of the weather & changing seasons since living on Skye.  As I love the surrounding views in all different weathers, be it sunshine, rain or storms, I’ve decided to share with you some of my weather thoughts, what’s been happening with the weather over the past month & include a couple of photos.

20170214Sunrise

Skye winter sunset
Making

I think I already mentioned it – I love knitting.  I have a few WIPs although need to get them out & reassess where I’m at with them & I also mention my stash in passing – this will be getting love & attention in a future episode.  My last project worked on is a bag from a fishermen knits workshop during Shetland Wool Week.  I talk about what state it is in & my plans for it.

SWW Fishermens Knits Bag

I used Frangipani 100% British Worsted 5-ply Guernsey in Deep Ocean.  They have 28 colours which are really beautiful, it’s worth getting a shade card.  Yarn with great structure & stitch definition.

Dorset Buttons

I talk about Edinburgh Yarn Festival on 10 & 11 March at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange where I will be a vendor for the 3rd year running.  If you are coming do come and say hello to me in.  I am in my own special place in where The Teapot Trust Classes are being run, just off the Concourse.  Download the vendor map to make sure you find everyone you want to visit.

I discuss my latest project – TJFrog’s very own special yarn!  This is a Dorset Poll & Hebridean mix from sheep who roam Dorset, where I was brought up, & Skye where I live now.  I have much to do to get this ready for launching at Edinburgh Yarn Festival.

Local Lowdown

I  briefly talk about a new craft gin Misty Isle from Skye.  I’ve yet to try it!  I’ll report back when I do.

Skye Showcase

I include a short interview (approx 10mins) with Emma Siedle-Collins a mixed media textile artist here on Skye.  Emma produces the most exquisite work & samples are shown here which illustrate the freeform stitching, use of different fabrics & the gold thread Emma talks about during the interview.

Emma will be demonstrating her talent at The Stitching & Sewing Show & The Scottish Quilting Show at Glasgow SEC 2 – 5 March 2017.  If you are there pop by her stand ZE12 & say hello.

Emma can be found online at:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/EmmaSiedleCollinsmixedmediatextiles/

Blog:    http://emma-alittlebitofeverything.blogspot.co.uk

Etsy:     https://www.etsy.com/uk/people/escskye

 

ESC 7 peacock feather copy

ESC 14 heart

ESC 27 Bluebells in the wood

Music – the music is One Frog For a Prince, by Ron Patton & licensed from Melody Loops.

I loved to hear your feedback on my 1st episode!

You can contact me via the contact form at the bottom of the page or via social media as below.

Bye for now.

TJ Signature

 

 

 

 

Facebook:   TJFrogSkye

Instagram:   TJFrogSkye

Twitter:    TJFrogMakes

Ravelry:  LittleFrog

 

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10 Responses

  1. Hello Tania. Yvonne from Canada. We met during a Norway knitting/crochet cruise with Jane Crowfoot and Carol Medrum. I’ve started making dorset buttons, or at least considering designs, and should be visiting the Isle of Skye in August. Looking forward to hearing more of your podcasts. Had a problem with the itunes subscribing link though.

    1. Hi Yvonne, thanks for getting in touch. Great to hear you are starting to make Dorset Buttons. If you visit Skye we meet for “Ewe Time” crafting on a Thursday afternoon in the Handspinner Having Fun in Broadford. Do get in touch it would be lovely to see you again. Thanks for letting me know about the iTunes link. I will put a note up informing people. It’s been submitted to iTunes & is under review.

  2. Well what can I say? A stonker of a first episode. You are warm, welcoming and very natural. I love that you have a slot on The Weather – how very British!

    I have a very broad smile on my face because it is lovely to know that I am going to get a monthly update on what you and others on Skye are up to.

    1. Wow thank you Fay, what amazing feedback. Love that you love The Weather feature!

  3. Fantastic listen Tania. Engaging and interesting and wonderfully honest. Inspirational how far you have come from a novice knitter to a designer maker.

  4. Tanja,
    I just listened to your first podcast and I thought it was brilliant!!!! I loved hearing about your crafting but also about your life in general on Skye – so thank you for that and I am looking forward to your next one!!

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